The Death of Jayson Porter

Wow, such a raw, intense read. It's tough to read what Jayson is going through but tough to put the book down, too. A compelling voice speaking to a harsh reality.

Loved everything about this book. I liked the way the author kept it "hood" all the way through making it very believable, almost like a memoir. My heart went out to Jayson and all he went through and I kept finding myself wanting too reach into the book and wrap him up in a bear hug. well written and recommend to all ages.

Jayson wants to believe things will get better. He wants to believe his mom will straighten up, stop abusing him, and stop using and hanging out with her loser boyfriend. He wants to believe he'll do ok in school, even though he's a mixed race teen in an all white school. But things don't seem to get any better. He contemplates suicide daily, especially after his mom gets in one of her moods. When his best friend dies, he falls apart and does something drastic that may end up making things better after all.

Written in prose.

Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

Jayson Porter lives on the eighteenth floor of a rundown Florida apartment building with his abusive mother and whatever boyfriend she is currently entertaining. He is trying to hold down a part-time job and still keep up with his homework at the exclusive private school that has offered him a scholarship.

Each day as he walks along the railing outside his apartment, he considers how easy it would be to just end it all. He fantasizes about how quick and painless death would be if he jumped.

Only two things keep him moving from day to day - his one friend, Trax, and April, a recent acquaintance who might prove to be a cool girlfriend or perhaps an annoying stalker. When Trax show more dies because the meth lab explodes in a neighboring apartment, Jayson's fragile life begins to seriously crumble.

Author Jaime Adoff takes readers deep into the troubled mind of Jayson Porter. His sometimes sparse and always brutally honest voice reveals the heartbreak and trauma that make up Jayson's young life. Although he dreams of death and does make an attempt, there is still hope left for Jayson if he chooses to work hard enough to hang on to it. show less

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